On the second day (22/07/2025) of the World Academy of Art and Science WAAS@65 Conference, Prof. Phoebe Koundouri had the honour of chairing Panel 6A: Planetary Consensus for Addressing the Challenges of Climate Change. The panel explored comprehensive strategies to address the climate crisis within the broader context of interconnected global challenges, including biodiversity loss, rising inequality, fiscal constraints, and an evolving geopolitical landscape.
Prof. Koundouri presented the work of the SDSN Global Climate Hub, which provides governments with quantified, costed, and sectorally integrated transition pathways aimed at halving emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This work is grounded in advanced systems modelling, stakeholder co-design, and open-access digital platforms.
The session featured a distinguished panel of experts:
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Professor Yannis Ioannidis, President of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), highlighted the critical role of data, artificial intelligence, and FAIR digital infrastructure in delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals and supporting effective climate action.
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Mr. Ketan Patel, Executive Director of Force for Good and CEO of Greater Pacific Capital, argued that the prevailing economic model based on mass consumption is fundamentally incompatible with planetary sustainability. He outlined urgent reforms in global investment, trade, and multilateral cooperation.
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Mr. Anders Wijkman, former Co-President of the Club of Rome and Board Member of the Swedish Development Authority, emphasized that material consumption accounts for over half of global emissions. He advocated for a transition to a circular economy and a redefinition of growth paradigms.
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Mr. Massamba Thioye, Project Executive of the UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub, spoke about the need for inner transformation, behavioural change, and the development of life-centric, need-based systemic innovation that includes all stakeholders—human and non-human alike.
The full session can be viewed at the following link: Watch the panel discussion
